Blades Meet Pats To Close Out Busy Week

The Saskatoon Blades close out another busy week on the ice tonight as they play host to the Regina Pats. The game tonight marks the 5th meeting of the seaso between the rivals from the two biggest cities in the province.

The Blades are coming off of a 5-0 shutout loss last night to the Swift Current Broncos. Former Blades Nathan Burns and Brett Lernout helped lead the way for the Broncos as they each had 1G, 1A in the victory. Meanwhile, Graham Black and Coda Gordon had good nights offensively for Swift Current as they each posted 3 assists, with goaltender Eetu Laurikainen making 26 saves for the shutout. Special teams was also a big factor as the Blades were 0 for 3 on the PP while the Broncos went 2 for 8 on their man advantage chances.

The Blades are hoping that a few new faces will be a bit more comfortable with their new teammates tonight against the Pats. Newcomer Mitch Lipon made his Blades debut last night in Swift Current. The Regina, Saskatchewan product skating on a line with Cameron Hebig and winger Brett Stovin. The Blades also had defencemen MacKenzie Johnston and Tyler Dea suit up in their second games with the team. They were acquired earlier in the week when the Blades shipped captain Graeme Craig north to the Prince Albert Raiders.

Deadline Day Is Done

The Saskatoon Blades made one deal yesterday during WHL trade deadline day. The deal saw Saskatoon ship a conditional 7th round pick in the 2015 WHL Bantam Draft to the Everett Silvertips for the rights to 1996-born centre Ty Mappin. Mappin was the 7th overall selection in the 2011 WHL Bantam Draft by Everett. During his rookie WHL season in 2012-13, Mappin posted 5 goals, 17 points and 46 PIMs in 63 games for the Silvertips. This season Mappin has put up 3 goals, 16 points and 49 PIMs in 30 games with the Olds Grizzlys of the Alberta Junior Hockey League.

Trombley’s Streak Snapped

The Blades have been getting solid goaltending from Sherwood Park, Alberta product Troy Trombley since the start of December. The 6’6 goaltender had put up at least a .900 save percentage in each of his past 12 appearances prior to last night’s game and loss in Swift Current against the Broncos. Over the stretch, he had posted a 3.02 GAA and a .929 save percentage. Included in that were starts in each of the Blades four games of 2014, registering two wins, two losses and a shootout loss to go with a 2.95 GAA and .932 save percentage.

Upcoming Schedule

Prince Albert Raiders @ Saskatoon Blades – January 17th

Brandon Wheat Kings @ Saskatoon Blades – January 18th

Tonight’s game goes at 7:05PM from the Credit Union Centre. If you can’t make it to the game you can always tune in on WHL Live, listen along on 92.9 The Bull or follow @bladeshockey on Twitter.

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